Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Arizona · regulated by Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AzBBHE) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | at least 24 months of supervised work experience in the practice of clinical social work that includes at least 1600 hours of direct client contact |
| Direct client contact | 1,600 hours direct client contact using psychotherapy; ≤400 psychoeducation; ≤400 crisis response |
| Supervision | at least 100 hours clinical supervision; ≥50 by a Board-licensed LCSW; ≥25 individual |
| Minimum time | 24 months |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical examination |
Supervision
- How much: at least 100 hours clinical supervision; ≥50 by a Board-licensed LCSW; ≥25 individual
- How often: At least 1 hour of clinical supervision in any month with direct client contact; sessions ≥30 minutes
- Group supervision: Up to 75 hrs in groups of 2; up to 50 hrs in groups of 3-6; ≥25 individual
- Who may supervise: ≥50 hrs by AZ LCSW meeting R4-6-214; rest by LPC, LCSW, LMFT or psychologist meeting R4-6-214 (12-hr training or national credential + 3-hr AZ tutorial)
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted: post-master's, after state licensure (R4-6-211(B)(2))
- Paperwork: Online 'Verification of Supervised Work Experience' and 'Verification of Clinical Supervision' (submitted by employer/supervisor), incl. board-approved supervisor attestation
Can you be supervised remotely in Arizona?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Since Nov. 2, 2025, "clinical supervision" may be face to face, by video, by teleconference or by telephone. The old rule (2 face-to-face hours every 6 months, 90-hour video/phone cap) is gone. Only phone is capped, at 15 hours. At least 10 hours must involve the supervisor observing the supervisee with a client, which may be live, by video, by teleconference or by recording.
- Phone only: limited: no more than 15 of the 100 clinical supervision hours by telephone
- In-person minimum: None for agency-based work. In a board-approved supervised private practice, the associate and supervisor must meet individually at the practice location at least once every 60 days.
- Supervisor licensed in Arizona? required
- Supervisor credential: At least 50 of the 100 hours must come from an LCSW licensed by the Arizona Board. The rest may come from a Board-licensed LPC, LCSW or LMFT, or an Arizona psychologist. All need R4-6-214 education, including the Arizona tutorial.
- Supervisee cap: Up to 6 clinical supervisors per applicant. Groups of 3-6 supervisees may supply up to 50 hours. A supervised-private-practice supervisor may oversee no more than 5 supervised private practices.
- Board approval first: None for agency-based supervision (no plan filing). A supervised private practice needs Board approval before any services, with 6-monthly supervisor reports.
- If you live outside Arizona: No location rule for agency-based work. Anyone treating a client located in Arizona by telehealth must be licensed by the Board. In a supervised private practice, the practice, the associate and the supervisor must all be physically in Arizona.
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
Rules amended effective Nov 2, 2025 (31 A.A.R. 3032): R4-6-403 changed from 3,200 hours to 24 months incl. 1,600 direct; crisis-response cap added; R4-6-404 now lets LPC/LMFT/psychologist supervise the non-LCSW half. New supervisor-training standards Jan 1, 2027.
In the board’s own words
“at least 24 months of supervised work experience in the practice of clinical social work that includes: 1. At least 1600 hours of direct client contact” — Ariz. Admin. Code R4-6-403(A)✓ matched in the source
“At least 50 hours are supervised by a clinical social worker licensed by the Board who meets the supervisor education requirements” — Ariz. Admin. Code R4-6-404(B)(1)✓ matched in the source
“For any month in which an applicant provides direct client contact, the applicant shall obtain at least one hour of clinical supervision.” — Ariz. Admin. Code R4-6-403(B)✓ matched in the source
“Current Board RULES (effective November 2, 2025)” — AzBBHE Rules and Laws page✓ matched in the source
“Employers and Supervisors can now utilize the forms above to submit the required verification forms for their supervisees.” — AzBBHE Social Work page✓ matched in the source
“indirect client hours no longer need to be tracked; however, 1600 direct client hours are still required” — AzBBHE 'Supervised work experience and clinical supervision requirements - social work'✓ matched in the source
“To be licensed as a clinical social worker, an applicant shall receive a passing score on the clinical examination offered by ASWB.” — Ariz. Admin. Code R4-6-402(C)✓ matched in the source
““Clinical supervision” means direction or oversight provided either face to face or by virtual video or teleconference or telephone” — 4 A.A.C. 6 (Supp. 25-3, rules eff. Nov. 2, 2025), R4-6-101, R4-6-211, R4-6-212, R4-6-212.01, R4-6-214, R4-6-217, R4-6-1106✓ matched in the source
“No more than 15 hours of clinical supervision were provided by telephone;” — 4 A.A.C. 6 (Supp. 25-3, rules eff. Nov. 2, 2025), R4-6-101, R4-6-211, R4-6-212, R4-6-212.01, R4-6-214, R4-6-217, R4-6-1106✓ matched in the source
“Holds an active and unrestricted license issued by the Board, and” — 4 A.A.C. 6 (Supp. 25-3, rules eff. Nov. 2, 2025), R4-6-101, R4-6-211, R4-6-212, R4-6-212.01, R4-6-214, R4-6-217, R4-6-1106✓ matched in the source
“Completes the three clock hour Clinical Supervision Tutorial on Arizona Statutes/Regulations.” — 4 A.A.C. 6 (Supp. 25-3, rules eff. Nov. 2, 2025), R4-6-101, R4-6-211, R4-6-212, R4-6-212.01, R4-6-214, R4-6-217, R4-6-1106✓ matched in the source
“Was employed by the behavioral health entity at which the applicant obtained hours of clinical supervision.” — 4 A.A.C. 6 (Supp. 25-3, rules eff. Nov. 2, 2025), R4-6-101, R4-6-211, R4-6-212, R4-6-212.01, R4-6-214, R4-6-217, R4-6-1106✓ matched in the source
9 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Arizona
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Arizona licenses · every state
Sources
- A.R.S. § 32-3293(1)(b), (2), (3)
- Ariz. Admin. Code R4-6-403 (Supp. 25-3, eff. Nov 2, 2025)
- AzBBHE Rules and Laws page ('Current Board RULES (effective November 2, 2025)')
- Arizona Administrative Register Vol. 32 (2026), Issue 39 Rulemaking Activity Cumulative Index (through Issue 38): no 4 A.A.C. 6 entries
- azleg.gov ARS Title 32 (notice: updated through 57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, 2026)
- AzBBHE Social Work page
- AzBBHE 'Supervised work experience and clinical supervision requirements - social work' (board guidance; quotes pre-2025 rule text but notes SB 1089)
- AzBBHE Social Work Licensure Exam Information
Checked against Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AzBBHE)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.